From the news wires

Electoral college reform one state closer to completion

Electoral college consists of the popularly elected representatives of each state. The reform proposal would give each state's electoral votes to the presidential candidate who captures the popular vote.

AP Photo

Joshua Jalin Musick, 4 months, of Honaker Va., takes a nap on a desk during the meeting of the Virginia Electoral College at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Dec. 15, 2008. Joshua is the grandson of elector Robert Childress, of the Ninth district.

By Associated Press

July 28, 2010 | Boston

The Massachusetts Senate has enacted a bill that would give the state's Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.

The bill enacted by the Senate 28-9 Tuesday is part of a nationwide effort to secure the agreement of enough states so the winner of the national popular vote would be guaranteed to win the presidency.

The bill will now be sent to Gov. Deval Patrick, who has said in the past he supports the bill.

The legislation will not go into effect until states possessing a majority of Electoral College votes pass similar legislation.

Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, Hawaii and Washington state have approved the measure.

The House passed its version of the legislation in June.

Related:

A last electoral hurdle for Obama

A backdoor plan to thwart the electoral college